Peracide Efficacy

Peracide has the highest efficacy of all disinfectants, with over 70 BS EN microbiological tests, demonstrating its superior effectiveness against all known microbes when compared to other disinfectants such as NaDCC tablets, chlorine dioxide and hydrogen peroxide. Unlike these other disinfectants, Peracide remains efficacious in both clean and soiled conditions.

Bacterial spores have become one of the biggest concerns in healthcare environments due to their resistance to most conventional disinfection methods and products. Spores commonly require extended, impractical contact times for them to be killed, which in a busy hospital environment is not always realistic. In addition to this, spores are regularly found in areas containing organic soil. This presents issues for most conventional disinfectants, with chlorine-based products losing much of their efficacy when used in areas with dirt and organic soils.

Peracide is proven to kill every living micro-organism, including C Diff. spores in 15 seconds at 4000 ppm (to a log 7 kill rate in heavily soiled conditions), making it perfectly suited to high-level disinfection, particularly where spores are an issue.

Peracetic Acid Research

Peracetic acid is a highly effective biocide, capable of inactivating and destroying bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores. Sky Chemicals has worked extensively with organisations such as University College London Hospitals to study the effectiveness of Peracide at a range of strengths, and in differing environmental conditions.

During product development and testing Sky Chemicals has worked extensively with Prof. Peter Wilson, Dr Shanom Ali, and the microbiology team at UCLH, investigating the sporicidal properties of Peracide. Spores are typically resistant to many disinfectants and the existing range of disinfectants is either ineffective or requires very high strengths and long contact times.

Spores were specifically chosen for the studies for 2 main reasons;

  • they are problematic in healthcare environments so are an excellent real world test subject.

  • spores are particularly resistant to many disinfectants so if you are able to determine that the disinfectant eliminates spores effectively, then the disinfectant is highly likely to be effective against bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens.

Additionally, work with UCLH looked at the effects of soils on the efficacy of peracetic acid. The studies show Peracide to be sporicidal to a log 7 kill rate (99.99999%) in as little as 15 seconds at 4000 ppm in soiled conditions, using C. difficile 027 spores. European Suspension Tests for disinfectants require a log 3 reduction in viable spores in 60 minutes. Peracide meets this standard at 1000 ppm with a contact time of 1 minute in both clean and dirty conditions.

Peracide Efficacy Test Data

We have a full range of EN and BSEN tests relating to the appropriate standards required for disinfectants. Peracide high level disinfectant has more than 70 EN and BSEN tests, showing its capabilities at destroying bacteria, viruses, fungi, and spores.

All of our EN and BSEN tests are performed by independent laboratories with the necessary accreditations to carry out these tests.

The tables below show a range of tests that Peracide conforms to against different pathogens, and in different conditions, as well as an overview of what the test standard refers to.

Tests are carried out against a range of organisms to demonstrate their effectiveness against different classes of pathogens. In many cases the organism is a surrogate that has a known, comparable interaction with biocides as the pathogen. These are used for a few reasons, for example:

“M. terrae, which is not a category 3 pathogen, was slightly more resistant than M. tuberculosis and this would appear to be a suitable surrogate for establishing tuberculocidal activity.”

P A Griffiths, J R Babb, A P Fraise. Mycobacterium terrae: a potential surrogate for Mycobacterium tuberculosis in a standard disinfectant test.
DOI: 10.1016/s0195-6701(98)90273-0

Standard Peracide Concentraton (ppm) Organism Log Reduction Contact Time Conditons Testing Body
EN 1276:2009 800 Acinetobacter baumannii 7.48 1 minute Clean UCLH
EN 14476:2013+A1:2015 800 Adenovirus type 5 ATCC VR-5 5.38 5 minutes Dirty IRM
EN 13624:2013 3200 Aspergillus brasiliensis DSM 1988 4.42 15 minutes Dirty IRM
EN 13697:2015 1000 Aspergillus brasiliensis DSM 1988 5.77 15 minutes Dirty IRM
EN 14562:2006 4000 Aspergillus brasiliensis DSM 1988 4.08 15 minutes Dirty IRM
BSEN 17126:2018 2000 Bacillus cereus CIP 105151 >4 15 minutes Clean MSL
BSEN 17126:2018 2000 Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 >4 15 minutes Clean MSL
BS EN 16615:2015 2000 Candida albicans ATCC 10231 >4 30 seconds Dirty MSL
EN 13624:2013 800 Candida albicans DSM 1386 >4.46 5 minutes Dirty IRM
EN 13624:2013 1600 Candida albicans DSM 1386 >4.46 5 minutes Dirty IRM
EN 13697:2015 1000 Candida albicans DSM 1386 5.68 5 minutes Dirty IRM
EN 13697:2015 1000 Candida albicans DSM 1386 5.7 15 minutes Dirty IRM
EN 14562:2006 1000 Candida albicans DSM 1386 4.46 5 minutes Dirty IRM
EN 14562:2006 1000 Candida albicans DSM 1386 4.64 15 minutes Dirty IRM
BSEN 1650:2018+A1:2013 2000 Candida auris CDC B11903 4.26 30 Seconds Dirty SS
EN 14476:2013+A1:2015 2000 Canine Parvovirus VR-953/CRFK Cells 5.33 5 minutes Clean BluTest
EN 14476:2013+A1:2015 2000 Canine Parvovirus VR-953/CRFK Cells 6.83 15 minutes Clean BluTest
EN 14476:2013+A1:2015 4000 Canine Parvovirus VR-953/CRFK Cells 5.33 5 minutes Clean BluTest
EN 14476:2013+A1:2015 4000 Canine Parvovirus VR-953/CRFK Cells 6.83 15 minutes Clean BluTest
EN 1276:2009 800 Clostridium difficile (spores) 3.75 1 minute Clean UCLH
EN 1276:2009 800 Clostridium difficile (spores) 4.16 5 minutes Clean UCLH
EN 1276:2009 800 Clostridium difficile (spores) 7.33 15 minutes Clean UCLH
ASTM E2197 3567 Clostridium difficile ATCC 43598 4.56 2 minutes Dirty UCLH
ASTM E2197 5166 Clostridium difficile ATCC 43598 6.2 2 minutes Dirty UCLH
ASTM E2197 5166 Clostridium difficile ATCC 43598 6.55 5 minutes Dirty UCLH
BSEN 13704:2018 2000 Clostridium difficile NCTC 11209 >4.41 5 minutes Dirty SS
EN 13697:2015 1000 Enterococcus hirae DSM 3320 6.68 5 minutes Dirty IRM
EN 13727:2012+A2:2015 800 Enterococcus hirae DSM 3320 5.25 5 minutes Dirty IRM
EN 14561:2007 1000 Enterococcus hirae DSM 3320 >5.85 5 minutes Dirty IRM
EN 14561:2007 2000 Enterococcus hirae DSM 3320 >5.85 5 minutes Dirty IRM
EN 1276:2009 800 Enterococcus hirae NCIMB 8192 5.28 5 minutes Dirty AA
BSEN 1276:2019 200 Escherichia coli ATCC 10536 >6.4 5 minutes Dirty SS
BSEN 1276:2019 250 Escherichia coli ATCC 10536 >6.4 5 minutes Dirty SS
EN 13697:2015 1000 Escherichia coli DSM 682 6.28 5 minutes Dirty IRM
EN 1276:2009 800 Escherichia coli NCTC 10418 5.32 5 minutes Dirty AA
EN 14675:2006 2000 Feline calicivirus /CRFK cells 4 5 minutes Clean BluTest
EN 14675:2006 4000 Feline calicivirus /CRFK cells 4.67 5 minutes Clean BluTest
EN 14675:2006 6000 Feline calicivirus /CRFK cells 4.67 5 minutes Clean BluTest
BSEN 14476:2013+A2:2019 500 Feline Coronavirus, Munich Strain >4 1 minute Dirty MSL
BSEN 14476:2013+A2:2019 1000 Feline Coronavirus, Munich Strain >4 30 seconds Dirty MSL
BSEN 14476:2013+A2:2019 1000 Feline Coronavirus, Munich Strain >4 1 minute Dirty MSL
BSEN 14476:2013+A2:2019 2000 Feline Coronavirus, Munich Strain 4 30 seconds Dirty MSL
BSEN 14476:2013+A2:2019 2000 Feline Coronavirus, Munich Strain >4 1 minute Dirty MSL
EN 1276:2009 800 Klebsiella pneumoniae 7.59 1 minute Clean UCLH
EN 13623:2010 800 Legionella pneumophila NCTC 12821 4.19 60 minutes Dirty AA
EN 1276:2009 800 Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus 7.34 1 minute Clean UCLH
EN 14476:2013+A1:2015 800 Murine Norovirus strain S99 Friedrich Loeffler Institute 5.25 5 minutes Dirty IRM
EN 14204:2012 1000 Mycobacterium avium CIP 105415 6.13 60 minutes Dirty AA
EN 14204:2012 1000 Mycobacterium terrae NCTC 10856 6.19 60 minutes Dirty AA
EN 14476:2013+A1:2015 1600 Poliovirus 1 strain Sabin 4.65 15 minutes Dirty IRM
EN 1276:2009 800 Pseudomonas aeruginosa 7.65 1 minute Clean UCLH
BS EN 16615:2015 2000 Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 15442 >5 30 seconds Dirty MSL
BSEN 1276:2009 1000 Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 15442 >6.47 1 minute Dirty SS
BSEN 1276:2009 1000 Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 15442 >6.47 2 minutes Dirty SS
BSEN 1276:2009 1000 Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 15442 >6.47 5 minutes Dirty SS
BSEN 1276:2019 200 Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 15442 4.88 5 minutes Dirty SS
EN 13697:2015 1000 Pseudomonas aeruginosa DSM 939 6.2 5 minutes Dirty IRM
EN 13727:2012+A2:2015 800 Pseudomonas aeruginosa DSM 939 5.35 5 minutes Dirty IRM
EN 14561:2007 1000 Pseudomonas aeruginosa DSM 939 >5.03 5 minutes Dirty IRM
EN 14561:2007 2000 Pseudomonas aeruginosa DSM 939 >5.03 5 minutes Dirty IRM
EN 1276:2009 800 Pseudomonas aeruginosa NCIMB 10421 5.23 5 minutes Dirty AA
Defra General Orders 500 Salmonella choleraesuis NCTC 10653 1 / 5 n/a Dirty AA
Defra General Orders (GO) 500 Salmonella Enteridis NCTC13665 0 / 5 n/a Dirty DEFRA APHA
BS EN 16615:2015 2000 Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538 >5 5 minutes Clean MSL
EN 13697:2015 1000 Staphylococcus aureus DSM 799 6.91 5 minutes Dirty IRM
EN 13727:2012+A2:2015 800 Staphylococcus aureus DSM 799 5.23 5 minutes Dirty IRM
EN 14561:2007 1000 Staphylococcus aureus DSM 799 >5.96 5 minutes Dirty IRM
EN 14561:2007 2000 Staphylococcus aureus DSM 799 >5.96 5 minutes Dirty IRM
EN 1276:2009 800 Staphylococcus aureus NCTC 10788 5.25 5 minutes Dirty AA
i. Log Reduction: Log 3 = 99.9% Log 4 = 99.99% Log 5 = 99.999% Log 6 = 99.9999% Log 7 = 99.99999%
ii. Clean conditions conducted in 0.3% bovine serum albumin.
iii. Dirty conditions conducted in 3.0g/l bovine albumin or 3.0g/l bovine albumin, 3.0 ml/l sheep erythrocytes or 5.0% yeast extract, 0.4% Mucin [porcine origin], 5.0% bovine serum albumin.

Sky Chemicals (UK) has developed the proprietary, stabilised peracetic acid on which Peracide is based. The combination of precursors, when added to water, create peracetic acid when it is needed, reducing the risk in transporting and handling Peracide. The powerful biocide combination will oxidise and denature both the cell membranes and nucleic acids RNA and DNA, present in all known microorganisms. The oxidative pathway of disinfection achieves biocidal efficacy through disrupting equilibria, reacting with molecular structures, and quickly causing irreversible damage to the microorganism. Biological mechanisms to generate resistance are not applicable.

Criteria for EN Tests

Standard Applicable to Test Description
EN 1276 Bacteria Quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of bactericidal activity of chemical disinfectants and antiseptics used in food, industrial, domestic and institutional areas. EN 1276 is a phase 2 step 1 suspension test for disinfectants intended for use in food, industrial, domestic and institutional areas. The test evaluates the efficacy of the product against bacteria.
EN 1650 Fungi/Yeast Quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of fungicidal or yeasticidal activity of chemical disinfectants and antiseptics used in food, industrial, domestic and institutional areas. EN 1650 is a phase 2 step 1 suspension test for disinfectants intended for use in food, industrial, domestic and institutional areas. The test evaluates the efficacy of the product against fungi and yeasts.
EN 13623 Bacteria Quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of bactericidal activity against Legionella of chemical disinfectants for aqueous systems.
EN 13624 Fungi/Yeast Quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of fungicidal and yeasticidal activities of disinfectants intended for use in the medical area. EN 13624 is a phase 2 step 1 suspension test performed on disinfectants intended for use in the medical area to test the efficacy of the product against fungi and yeasts.
EN 13697 Fungi/Bacteria Quantitative non-porous surface test for the evaluation of bactericidal and/or fungicidal activity of disinfectants used in food, industrial, domestic and institutional areas. EN 13697 is a phase 2 step 2 carrier test performed on surface disinfectants intended for use in the food, industrial, domestic and institutional areas without mechanical action to test the efficacy of the product against bacteria and/or fungi.
EN 13704 Spores Quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of sporicidal activity of chemical disinfectants used in food, industrial, domestic and institutional areas. EN 13704:2018 is a phase 2 step 1 suspension test for disinfectants intended for use in the food, industrial, domestic and institutional areas. The test evaluates the efficacy of the product against bacterial and fungal spores.
EN 13727 Bacteria Quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of bactericidal activity of disinfectants intended for use in the medical area. EN 13727:2012+A2:2015 is a mandatory phase 2 step 1 suspension test for disinfectants intended for use in the medical area. The test evaluates the efficacy of the product against bacteria.
EN 14204 Bacteria Quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of mycobactericidal activity of chemical disinfectants and antiseptics intended for use in the veterinary area. EN 14204 is a phase 2 step 1 suspension test performed on disinfectants intended for use in the veterinary area to test the efficacy of the product against mycobacteria.
EN 14476 Virus Quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of virucidal activity of disinfectants intended for use in the medical area. EN 14476 is a phase 2 step 1 suspension test to evaluate the virucidal activity of chemical disinfectants intended for use in the medical area.
EN 14561 Bacteria Quantitative carrier test for the evaluation of bactericidal activity of instrument disinfectants intended for use in the medical area. EN 14561:2006 is a mandatory phase 2 step 2 carrier test for instrument disinfectants intended for use in the medical area. The test evaluates the efficacy of the product against bacteria.
EN 14562 Fungi/Yeast Quantitative carrier test for the evaluation of fungicidal and yeasticidal activities of instrument disinfectants intended for use in the medical area. EN 14562:2006 is a phase 2 step 2 carrier test performed on instrument disinfectants intended for use in the medical area to test the efficacy of the product against yeasts and fungi.
EN 14675 Virus Quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of virucidal activity of disinfectants intended for use in the veterinary area. EN 14675 is a phase 2 step 1 suspension test to evaluate the virucidal activity of chemical disinfectants intended for use in the veterinary area.
EN 16615 Bacteria/Yeast Quantitative test method for the evaluation of bactericidal and yeasticidal activity on non-porous surfaces with mechanical action employing wipes in the medical area (4- field test)
EN 17126 Spores Quantitative suspension test for the evaluation of sporicidal activity of chemical disinfectants in the medical area - Test method and requirements (phase 2, step 1)
ASTM E2197 Bacteria / Virus / Fungi / Spores / Mycobacteria Standard Quantitative Disk Carrier Test Method for Determining Bactericidal, Virucidal, Fungicidal, Mycobactericidal, and Sporicidal Activities

Peracide In Use

Take a look at this testimonial from Eileen about Peracide, the Lead Infection Control Nurse at Doncaster and Bassetlaw NHS Foundation Trust.